Michael FineNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Michael FineTue, 11 Oct 2016 01:03:43 +0000Michael Finehttp://ripr.org
Kristin GourlayBlackstone Valley’s Community Health Center breaks ground today on a new Neighborhood Health Station in Central Falls. The station is meant to serve patients as more than a health clinic. Former health department director Dr. Michael Fine is one of the driving forces behind the new Neighborhood Health Station. He says it’s a different model from a community health center: “Community health centers focus on the people who consult them and do a great job at it. A neighborhood health station really looks at the health of the entire city whether people have walked through the doors yet or not.” That means the station will have community outreach workers, relationships with housing and educational officials, and programs that promote physical activity. Services such as urgent care, dentistry, and physical therapy will be available on site. The facility takes insurance but also payment on a sliding scale for people who can’t afford care. Fine says an outreach worker will visit residents whoNeighborhood Health Station Breaks Ground In Central Fallshttp://ripr.org/post/neighborhood-health-station-breaks-ground-central-falls
73552 as http://ripr.orgSat, 08 Oct 2016 10:00:00 +0000Neighborhood Health Station Breaks Ground In Central FallsKristin GourlayA new healthcare effort in Central Falls is getting a boost. A program called the Neighborhood Health Station has won a grant to pay for outreach workers to prevent overdose deaths and reduce emergency room use. Former health department director and Central Falls community health organizer Dr. Michael Fine says a new $100,000 dollar grant from the Rhode Island Foundation will help hire two outreach workers to improve community heath in Central Falls. The first will follow up with residents who called for an ambulance within the past few days, “… to make sure they have access to primary care and to help them get a primary care appointment if they don’t have a regular primary care physician," says FIne. The second outreach worker will visit the homes of people who have survived an accidental drug overdose to make sure they have the overdose reversal drug Narcan and that they know how to get substance abuse treatment if they want it. The outreach workers are part of a larger effort toCentral Falls To Fight Overdose, Emergency Room Usehttp://ripr.org/post/central-falls-fight-overdose-emergency-room-use
66481 as http://ripr.orgFri, 22 Apr 2016 17:00:00 +0000Central Falls To Fight Overdose, Emergency Room UseKristin Gourlay Rhode Island is facing a litany of serious health issues – from a rising number of overdose deaths to a spike in sexually transmitted infections. It’s up to the new director of the state’s health department, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, to address those epidemics and more. Scott is an infectious disease doctor who has spent the past few years consulting with the Department of Health. We recently sat down with her to learn more about how she’s approaching her new role. Interview: Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott Takes Reins At Health Dept.http://ripr.org/post/interview-dr-nicole-alexander-scott-takes-reins-health-dept
52435 as http://ripr.orgThu, 18 Jun 2015 10:00:00 +0000Interview: Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott Takes Reins At Health Dept.Kristin GourlayCentral Falls' community health center is at capacity, officials say, in its current building. Now, Blackstone Valley Community Health Care has acquired a three-story medical building from Memorial Hospital for $720,000 at 1000 Broad St. in Central Falls. Health center officials say they plan to move in toward the end of 2016, when $5 million dollars in renovations are complete. The new center will be able to accommodate more than 10,000 patients and will add about a dozen new clinicians. Dr. Michael Fine, former director of the Rhode Island Dept. of Health, helped broker the deal. Fine says he's working with Central Falls Mayor James Diossa to turn the center into what they're calling a "neighborhood health station." It would include a range of health services - from primary and behavioral health care, to dental care, and exercise facilities. New "Neighborhood Health Station" For Central Fallshttp://ripr.org/post/new-neighborhood-health-station-central-falls
50883 as http://ripr.orgThu, 14 May 2015 14:58:08 +0000New "Neighborhood Health Station" For Central FallsKristin GourlayDr. Michael Fine has led the state’s department of health since 2001. Friday marks his last day at the agency. He came to our studios this week to look back on his accomplishments, and offer some advice to his successor, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott. Fine told us that, as he leaves office, Rhode Islanders are not as healthy as they could be. But despite the challenges people face, there’s progress to be proud of. Interview: Dr. Michael Fine On Four Years Helming Health Dept.http://ripr.org/post/interview-dr-michael-fine-four-years-helming-health-dept
48424 as http://ripr.orgThu, 26 Mar 2015 10:00:00 +0000Interview: Dr. Michael Fine On Four Years Helming Health Dept.Kristin GourlayGov. Gina Raimondo has nominated a new leader for the state Dept. of Health. Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott is currently Consultant Medical Director for the state health department’s division of infectious diseases, focusing on HIV and AIDS, viral hepatitis, and other infections. She’s a board-certified specialist in infectious disease in both children and adults. Alexander-Scott is also on the faculty of Brown University’s medical school. She studied medicine at the State University of New York Upstate Medical School and received a Masters in Public Health from Brown. If she is approved by the State Senate, Alexander-Scott would replace Dr. Michael Fine, who announced his resignation last month. Alexander-Scott Nominated To Lead Health Dept.http://ripr.org/post/alexander-scott-nominated-lead-health-dept
47393 as http://ripr.orgTue, 03 Mar 2015 20:14:29 +0000Alexander-Scott Nominated To Lead Health Dept.Kristin GourlayRhode Island health officials have rolled out a new campaign against drug addiction. The campaign debuts as the state faces more grim statistics: 232 Rhode Islanders died from apparent accidental drug overdoses in 2014, the same number as in 2013. You may see their faces on buses, or hear their voices in public service announcements. They’re people in recovery from addiction. They include Jonathan Goyer, a former addict turned recovery counselor. He said it will take more than advertising to fight drug addiction. “At the end of the day this media campaign is just that: a media campaign," said Goyer. "None of this matters if we aren’t practicing the principles of love, compassion, understanding, and empathy in our relationships with others.” Goyer said more Rhode Islanders should learn about addiction so they can recognize the signs. The department of health calls the new campaign ‘Addiction is a disease. Recovery is possible.’ 232 Rhode Islanders died last year from apparent accidentalHealth Dept. Ad Campaign Features Rhode Islanders In Recoveryhttp://ripr.org/post/health-dept-ad-campaign-features-rhode-islanders-recovery
44850 as http://ripr.orgFri, 09 Jan 2015 19:43:21 +0000Health Dept. Ad Campaign Features Rhode Islanders In RecoveryKristin GourlayRhode Island’s health department has started tracking the number of prescriptions written for opioid painkillers like OxyContin and Vicodin. Agency head Dr. Michael Fine says that’s because those drugs are addictive. And four out of five people who use heroin got started on prescription painkillers. In July, he says, 118,000 Rhode Islanders got prescriptions for opioid painkillers. “And that’s not to say that everyone who gets a prescribed narcotic a) doesn’t need it because many people do or b) is going to move on to illicit drugs," said Fine. "But one in 10 Rhode Islanders are exposed to a drug that could very well be the gateway.” Fine says heroin is most likely involved in a spate of recent accidental drug overdose deaths. Seventeen Rhode Islanders died of apparent overdoses in July, up dramatically from just one death in June. Overdose has claimed 127 lives since the beginning of the year. To Stop Overdose Deaths, RI Tracks Painkiller Prescriptionshttp://ripr.org/post/stop-overdose-deaths-ri-tracks-painkiller-prescriptions
38124 as http://ripr.orgWed, 13 Aug 2014 09:00:00 +0000To Stop Overdose Deaths, RI Tracks Painkiller PrescriptionsKristin GourlayRhode Island health department officials do not expect to see any Ebola cases in the state. But they’re preparing anyway. Rhode Island’s health department director Dr. Michael Fine says his agency knows how to handle an infectious disease outbreak. And one of the first lines of defense against Ebola includes health care workers and hospitals. “What we’re trying to do is make sure that everyone understands what they have to do should a traveler come here from an endemic area," said Fine. Fine says his department has been in communication with health care providers, including emergency medical teams. But he emphasizes that he does not expect Ebola in the Ocean State. And he hopes Rhode Islanders will offer support to members of the state’s West African community – many of whom are worrying about friends and family back home. Ebola In RI? Not Likely. But We're Ready Anway.http://ripr.org/post/ebola-ri-not-likely-were-ready-anway
38123 as http://ripr.orgTue, 12 Aug 2014 19:52:50 +0000Ebola In RI? Not Likely. But We're Ready Anway.Kristin GourlayState leaders have announced some new steps in the fight against prescription painkiller and heroin addiction. The news accompanies the release of the latest grim numbers of drug overdose deaths. Rhode Island health department head Michael Fine told a standing-room-only crowd at the Anchor Community Recovery Center in Pawtucket that 85 people have died since January from suspected drug overdoses, mostly heroin. Hundreds more have overdosed but survived, he said, thanks to an antidote called Narcan, which first responders carry. “Some of our work with Narcan has been exhilarating because of the people whose lives we’ve saved," said Fine. "But some of those numbers are scary as well. Narcan has been used by EMS in Rhode Island 428 times since the first of the year.” Fine’s colleague in the state behavioral health agency, Craig Stenning, announced two new programs to help addicts before it’s too late. This May, his agency will staff every Providence hospital with what they’re calling RI Launches New Programs To Treat Addicts, Prevent Overdoseshttp://ripr.org/post/ri-launches-new-programs-treat-addicts-prevent-overdoses
32203 as http://ripr.orgThu, 17 Apr 2014 17:32:32 +0000RI Launches New Programs To Treat Addicts, Prevent OverdosesKristin GourlayIt’s flu season already and that means you’ll be reminded to get a flu vaccine at seemingly every turn. Should you listen? Is this year any different? Rhode Island Public Radio’s health care reporter Kristin Gourlay sat down with the head of Rhode Island’s health department, Dr. Michael Fine, for some answers. Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@ripr.org To Flu Shot, Or Not To Flu Shot?http://ripr.org/post/flu-shot-or-not-flu-shot
26398 as http://ripr.orgTue, 17 Dec 2013 22:00:00 +0000To Flu Shot, Or Not To Flu Shot?Kristin GourlayState lawmakers are looking at ways to strengthen Rhode Island’s prescription drug monitoring program. They say there are too many gaps in the current system that allow people to abuse prescription drugs. Monday marked the first meeting for a commission that will examine how to boost Rhode Island’s efforts to track prescriptions for painkillers and other controlled substances. Rhode Island already has a prescription drug monitoring program. Prescribers don’t have to participate, but if they do they can look up every prescription a patient has filled at any pharmacy. And that could help them detect patterns of abuse. But state representative William O’Brien, who convened the commission, says the program doesn’t include data from enough sources and misses prescriptions people might pay for in cash. “We’re trying to get rid of the loopholes, we’re trying to make it more effective," said O'Brien. "It may not need a completely new bill, but we may need to strengthen parts of it.” DepartmentState Lawmakers: Close Gaps In Rx Monitoring Programhttp://ripr.org/post/state-lawmakers-close-gaps-rx-monitoring-program
25711 as http://ripr.orgTue, 03 Dec 2013 20:58:54 +0000State Lawmakers: Close Gaps In Rx Monitoring ProgramKristin GourlayI had a chance to speak to Department of Health director Dr. Michael Fine this morning as he traveled to a conference in Boston. The gathering, put on by the Lown Institute, is "From Avoidable Care to Right Care," convenes "...clinicians, patient advocates, and civic leaders to deepen our mutual understanding of the cultural, scientific, and ethical issues surrounding the overuse of medical services." (Dr. Bernard Lown, the institute's namesake, won a Nobel Prize in 1985 for starting International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War; he also helped pioneer the cardiac defibrillator and was a co-founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility). So what is the "overuse of medical services" and why is Dr. Fine so concerned about it? He told me overuse is everything from the extraordinary measures we often take to prolong life at the end of a person's life, even if it means a lower quality of life, to the use of treatments for which we don't have a lot of evidence of theirReducing Overtreatment, Overtesting, And Overdiagnosishttp://ripr.org/post/reducing-overtreatment-overtesting-and-overdiagnosis
25703 as http://ripr.orgTue, 03 Dec 2013 20:47:46 +0000Reducing Overtreatment, Overtesting, And OverdiagnosisKristin GourlayRhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin and Health Department director Michael Fine have sent a letter to the CEO of United Healthcare New England expressing their concern over the insurer’s dropping of dozens of doctors from its managed Medicare plan in the state. They want United to reinstate doctors until they submit a plan to handle the transition. The pair admonish United for failing to explain in more detail why it dropped certain doctors. And they point out that limiting the number of doctors for Medicare patients in a state with such a high percentage of elderly people could affect patients’ ability to access and afford the doctors they need. Kilmartin and Fine say they are also concerned about the continuity of care for patients who are in active treatment with a particular doctor as well as about the fact that United hasn’t informed members but left that to individual doctors. United had originally canceled its contract with health care providers on Block Island butKilmartin, Fine Urge United Healthcare To Reinstate Doctorshttp://ripr.org/post/kilmartin-fine-urge-united-healthcare-reinstate-doctors
24901 as http://ripr.orgFri, 15 Nov 2013 21:13:47 +0000Kilmartin, Fine Urge United Healthcare To Reinstate DoctorsKristin GourlayCalifornia-based Prime Healthcare Services won approval earlier this week to buy Woonsocket’s Landmark Medical Center. But the approval came with conditions. One is that the company keep Rhode Island regulators abreast of a federal investigation it’s under for allegedly over-billing Medicare. Another is that Prime invest in primary care and in preventing hospital re-admissions. The Department of Health expressed some concern about Prime’s practices at other hospitals, but department head Michael Fine said the terms of the deal to acquire Landmark should allay those concerns. “That’s why the conditions are there," said Fine. "That gives us the opportunity to hear reporting from them and to collaborate with them to make sure that everyone is getting the care that they need.” Fine’s department will also require Landmark's new owner, Prime, to participate in the state’s prescription monitoring program, and to make an effort to enroll more patients in the state’s electronic medical recordLandmark's New Owner Must Use Rx Monitoring Program, Invest In Primary Carehttp://ripr.org/post/landmarks-new-owner-must-use-rx-monitoring-program-invest-primary-care
24035 as http://ripr.orgThu, 31 Oct 2013 09:00:00 +0000Landmark's New Owner Must Use Rx Monitoring Program, Invest In Primary CareKristin GourlayLast night I attended one of what could be the first of 39 more public forums, put on by the state's health department, around Rhode Island. And it wasn't what I thought it would be. At a restaurant downtown Central Falls, dozens of citizens, representatives of community organizations, and health officials gathered around tables, shared a meal, and brainstormed about their community's health problems and how to fix them. It was all in Spanish, with English translations available via headset. Health department director Dr. Michael Fine sat in the very back, tucked behind a small table, with his own headset, listening. He was full of excitement, he told me, about this experiment in public engagement and problem-solving. The forum began with a quick presentation on some health statistics for Central Falls, most of which were bleaker than the rest of the state (more than 40% are obese; about 25% smoke; fewer kids finish high school; and teen pregnancy is higher). Then participants at eachThe Doctor Is In...Central Fallshttp://ripr.org/post/doctor-incentral-falls
23730 as http://ripr.orgThu, 24 Oct 2013 19:04:49 +0000The Doctor Is In...Central FallsKristin GourlayFor Rhode Islanders between 15 and 44 years old, the leading cause of death is accidental drug overdose, usually involving prescription painkillers. State health leaders are calling it an epidemic. There’s growing evidence that tracking the number of pills doctors prescribe to potential abusers might ease the problem. But Rhode Island’s fledgling prescription drug monitoring program is just getting started. The dark side of opiates Dr. Jody Rich is an infectious disease specialist at The Miriam Hospital in Providence. He sees a lot of patients with HIV and hepatitis C. Many also struggle with addiction to opiates – painkillers like Oxycontin and Percocet. Before heading into his clinic, Rich takes a moment in his office, piled high with papers and folders, to explain why. “Now when somebody uses opiates regularly, even in a matter of a few weeks, they can start to develop tolerance,” says Rich, “which means they need a higher dose to get the same effect, and the withdrawal phenomenon.”Fighting Prescription Drug Abuse, One Log In At a Timehttp://ripr.org/post/fighting-prescription-drug-abuse-one-log-time
16918 as http://ripr.orgTue, 18 Jun 2013 09:00:00 +0000Fighting Prescription Drug Abuse, One Log In At a TimeKristin GourlayAS220, the downtown arts organization, and the Roots Cafe are hosting three public panel discussions about health care in Rhode Island. And one of them features someone you might know from such illustrious places as... this blog! My predecessor here at RIPR, the delightful Megan Hall, is one of the panelists! Events take place at 5:30 pm on April 24, May 1, and May 8 at AS220 Cafe, 115 Empire Street, in Providence. Details on the first two events: April 24th - "The current state of health care in Rhode Island" Panelists include:Marie Ghazal, RN, MS: Chief Executive Officer: RI Free ClinicLouis R. Giancola: President & CEO, South County HospitalMichael Fine, MD: Director, Rhode Island Department of HealthMay 1st - "'Obamacare': What it means for Rhode Island"Panelists include:Ed Quinlan: President, Hospital Association of Rhode IslandChris Koller: Health Insurance Commissioner of Rhode IslandMegan Hall: Outreach and Education Lead, RI Health Benefits Exchange(This event takes placeAS220 Spotlights Health Care in Rhode Islandhttp://ripr.org/post/as220-spotlights-health-care-rhode-island
13506 as http://ripr.orgFri, 12 Apr 2013 20:15:22 +0000AS220 Spotlights Health Care in Rhode IslandKristin GourlayRhode Island could do with the equivalent of one fewer hospital. That’s the conclusion of a draft report meant to guide the state’s health care planning. The General Assembly commissioned an analysis of what hospital services Rhode Island has compared towhat it actually needs, and whether there’s a discrepancy. A draft of that report finds that we probably have about 200 hospital beds too many – the equivalent of a whole hospital. And because every hospital bed costs money to keep available, says health department director Michael Fine, excess beds add unnecessary cost to the system. “We’re going to have to find a way to shrink the number of hospitals and the number of hospital beds in an orderly, responsible, and economically viable way. If we don’t, then we can’t shrink the cost of health insurance," said Fine. Authors of the Health Care Planning and Accountability Advisory Council report recommend that state policymakers carefully consider each hospital acquisition and consolidationStudy: Rhode Island Has Too Many Hospital Bedshttp://ripr.org/post/study-rhode-island-has-too-many-hospital-beds
12520 as http://ripr.orgMon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:30 +0000Study: Rhode Island Has Too Many Hospital BedsKristin GourlayThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates this year’s flu vaccine was effective about fifty percent of the time. But the vaccine was much less protective for older adults. The CDC found that vaccinations against influenza types A and B were about 56 percent effective overall. But in people aged 65 and older, the vaccines only worked 27 percent of the time. But Rhode Island Department of Health director Doctor Michael Fine says that’s no reason NOT to get vaccinated. “Remember it’s still 27% effective. So that means one person out of five who gets the shot – a little more than one person out of five, one person out of four – is going to be protected.” Fine says researchers aren’t completely certain why the vaccine is less protective for seniors. But he says it’s well known that older adults’ immune systems aren’t as vigorous as they used to be. And the CDC’s findings aren’t surprising. Flu Vaccine Less Effective but Still Urged for Seniorshttp://ripr.org/post/flu-vaccine-less-effective-still-urged-seniors
10817 as http://ripr.orgFri, 22 Feb 2013 20:23:48 +0000Flu Vaccine Less Effective but Still Urged for Seniors